Sexual dysfunction in African males in Nairobi, Kenya.

Out of a total of 295 subjects referred to the Pangani Clinic for psychiatric assessment, between January 1990 and December 1993, 49 were studied. All were males and aged between 16 and 55 years. Using a cross-sectional design study, they were consecutively assessed for sexual dysfunction. Each subject was studied using, the Self Rating Questionnaire, the Standardized Psychiatric Interview and WHO Audit Instrument for Alcohol abuse. The final diagnoses of sexual dysfunction were made according to DSM-R categories. A matched analysis using Chi-squared (X2) test were carried out. The finding was that erectile disorder was the major disorder seen in 57.1% of the subjects. The peak age for sexual dysfunction was between 26 and 36 years. In an African setting, questions pertinent to bewitchment and age (husband versus wife) are very important with regard to sexual dysfunction.